Easily disassembled flag assemblies



July 14, 1959 C. R. STEPHENSON EASILY DISASSEMBLED FLAG ASSEMBLIES FiledApril 22, 1957 Car/5. S/e Aenson 'HTTORNEYS United States Patent EASILYDISASSEMBLED FLAG ASSEMBLIES Carl R. Stephenson, Clare, Mich., assignorof one-half to Leo Grondo, Harrison, Mich.

Application April 22, 1957, Serial No. 654,358

9 Claims. (Cl. 116-173) This invention relates to easily disassembledflag assemblies of a type which may be readily applied to and carried bya motor vehicle and more particularly to certain novel and usefulimprovements therein.

Specifically the invention deals with funeral flags such as are carriedby motor vehicles in a funeral procession and has as one of its objectsthe provision of a flag assembly which can be completely disassembled sothat the flag itself can be removed, laundered, and replaced. Funeralflags which are presently in use utilize frames which hold them inextended position and prevent them from fluttering and snapping in thewind. Flags of this type have proven very satisfactory for outdoor usebecause they wear longer and will not droop if there is no wind;however, the flags in present use also have proven disadvantageous forthe reason that it has not been possible to easily disengage the flagfrom its frame. A person purchasing any of the frame enclosed flagassemblies which are available has not been able to use the flag framefor a very extended period of time because the flag wears out relativelyrapidly and the frame as well asthe flag must be replaced. At the timeof renewal the discarded frame will in most instances be in excellentcondition. Further, when the flag has with use reached acondition whichplainly requires laundering, it has been more practical to discard theframe enclosed flag and purchase a new flag and frame unit at someexpense rather than to have the unit washed or cleaned by hand. One oftheprime objects of the instant invention is to provide a flag assemblyincorporating a frame and obtaining its advantages. which is so designedthat the flag may be very easily removed from its frame. Present dayfuneral flag assemblies are also disadvantageous in that they requirerelatively complex means for mounting them on a motor vehicle which isexpensive incharacter and adds considerably to the cost of the unit.Oneof the designs which has been proposed is supported on the raingutter of the vehicle roof, for example, and requires a socket or sleevefor supporting the mast. It is another object of the present inventionto provide a flag assembly which without a socket or the like can bevery easily supported on the back edge of the drivers or passengersventilating window.

A further object of the invention is to design a flag assembly of thecharacter described which can be mounted on all present automobiles andis positively held in place by resilient gripping plates which are veryeasily engaged with and disengaged from the window.

Still further objects of the invention are to provide a funeral flagwhich will not rattle or snap in the wind, which has a low windresistance, and which can be very inexpensively manufactured andassembled for sale at a relatively low cost.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consistsin the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fullydescribed, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understoodthat equivalent changes may be made in the various elements whichcomprise the invention without departing from the spirit thereof or thescope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the flag assembly only;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional plan view taken on the line 3-3 ofFigure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the right front orpassengers ventilating window illustrating the manner in which the flagassembly is mounted on a ventilating window of the automobile or othervehicle;

Figure 5 is a sectional plan View taken on the line 55 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of one of the free endsof a flag frame; and

Figure 8 is an enlarged, end elevational view illustrating the manner inwhich the flag may be slipped off one of the free ends of the frame.

Figure 9 is a plan view of a modified flag frame which is preferablyused with the assembly.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings in which Ihave shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, a letter F generallyindicates my flag assembly which is shown in Figures 4 and 5 mounted onthe pivotal ventilation window it? of a motor vehicle chassis 11. Thewindow It depicted is for convenience of illustration only theventilating window on the passengers side of the motor vehicle adjacentthe wrap around front windshield 12 and the rear edge of the window isshown as turned out. The usual frame post 13 and rubber seal or linermembers 14 are provided and an edge channel or frame 15 protects thetop, rear, and lower edges of the ventilating window in the conventionalmanner. The window 10 is, of course, pivoted at its upper and lower endsin any suitable manner as at 10a and adjustment of the window 10 willadjust the flag assembly F also.

The flag assembly F has a mast 16 which, near its lower end, is providedwith a generally laterally turned section 16a terminating in an endportion 16b which is parallel to the main section of the mast but isinwardly offset therefrom. Crimped around the section 1611 of the mastas shown in Figure 3 or otherwise rigidly secured thereto in anysuitable manner is a metal gripper plate 17 which has the mast receivingloop 17a, legs 17b and 170, and a connecting section 17d. The legsections 17a and 1711 are flexible in the sense that they are separableto receive the edge of the ventilating window it). As will be observedfrom Figure 3 the distance a between legs 17b and is slightly less thenthe width b of the window 10 so that when the gripper plate 17 is forcedover the edge of the window 10, leg 17b and 170 will be spread and thegripper plate will be positively and securely mounted in position. Itwill be noted that the leg 170 extends beyond the portion 17a tofacilitate entry of the edge of the window 10. Engagement of the gripperplate 17 over the window 10 is very easily eifected for this reason andbecause the curvilinear portion 17a acts as a camming surface whichtends to easily spread the legs 17b and 170. When it is desired toremove the flag assembly from the window the surface 17a furnishes ahand hold which permits the gripper plate to be easily pulled from thewindow.

Mounted on the upper end of the mast 16 is a C-shaped frame 18 havingring members 18a formed on its free spaced apart relation.

3 ends which are of a diameter to be snugly but rotatably received onthe mast 16. There is sufficient frictional resistance to rotation sothat twisting of the frame 18 on the mast 16 by relatively light forcessuch as would be applied by the wind is resisted but can be accomplishedif more than a slight twisting force is used.

A sleeve 19 which may be of any suitable plastic or metallic compositionis mounted on the mast 16 between the ring like portions 18a and servesto hold them in Supported on the frame 18 is a flag 20 and the sleeve 19prevents rubbing of the upper and lower edges of the flag 20 on ends180. The flag 29, which it will be noted is of less width than thedistance between the upper and lower sections of the frame 18, is hemmedat both ends at 21 and 22. The hemmed portion 21 forms a loop or hemwhich accommodates the spacer sleeve 19 and the hem portion 22 forms aloop or hem which accommodates the outer side section 185 of the frame18. The flag is of such length relative to the distance between theouter surfaces of section 13b of the frame and spacer 19 that it ismaintained in taut condition; however, it need not be stretched inassembly so much that the hem portion 21 will not readily slip on thespacer sleeve 19.

The hem portion or loop 22 is of sufiicient size (see Figure 8) so thatit will easily pass either ring like portion 18a of the frame once theflag 20 has been slipped off the mast 16 and thus permits the flag 20 tobe very easily removed from the frame 18 for purposes of laundering, drycleaning, or replacement. The upper end of mast 16 may be threaded as at23 and a readily disengageable cap 24 may be employed to secure theassembly in position between the threaded section and a ferrule orwasher 25 which is fixed on the mast. Alternatively, in place of ferrule25 and cap 24, cotter pins of suitable design or the like may beemployed to releasably maintain the position of the frame 18 on thestaff 16.

The manner in which the flag assembly is mounted on the ventilatingwindow has been previously discussed. In order to remove the flag 20 forpurposes of laundering or cleaning it is merely necessary to back thecap 24 off the upper end of mast 16 and slide the assembly (whichincludes the sleeve 19, flag 20, and flag frame 18) off the upper end ofthe mast. The sleeve 19 may then he removed from the hem 21 and the hem22 can be very readily worked off the outer side portion 18b of theframe 18 onto either the upper or lower section thereof. Once this isaccomplished the hem 22 is of suflicient size to easily pass either ringlike portion 18a when the frame is revolved 90 so that the ring portionis disposed in the loop as in Figure 8. The reassembly of the unit isequally simple and once the flag 20 is again in place on the section 18bof the frame 18 the spacer 19 is inserted in the hem 21. The ring likeportions 18a and spacer 19 may then be inserted over the upper end ofthe mast 16 and the cap 24 threaded thereon to retain them in position.While the ring like portions 18a grip the mast sufliciently so that thewind will not revolve the frame 18 on the mast, a person grasping theouter end of frame 18 need exert relatively little pressure to disposethe flag in desired position. The flag can be disposed parallel with thepath of travel of the vehicle or at right angles thereto as desired.Adjustment of the window will, of course, permit the alining of the flagto some degree.

It should be apparent that I have perfected a very simple and practicalflag assembly for use on motor vehicles and the like, and, of course,such flags may be used on ambulances by hospitals, and by others as wellas funeral homes.

In Figure 9 I have shown a frame 18 in which the upper and lowersections are normally outwardly angled as shown so that when the frameis assembled on the mast these sections must be compressed. With such aframe the ring like portions 18a tend to bear on the cap 23 and ferrule25 and do not tend to fray the edges of the hem. Also the ring portions18a are angled slightly as at 18a to decrease the effective diameter ofthe openings therein and cause them to snugly grip the mast. With thisconstruction the flag tends to be stabilized in a plane parallel to thedirection of travel of the vehicle and does not vibrate in and out ofthis plane as conventional flags do. Y

The instant assembly does not scratch the windows on which it is mountedand is unique in that it will fit on all automobiles regardless ofwhether they possess a rain gutter as many do not. 7

It is to be understood that the drawings and descriptive matter are inall cases to be interpreted as merely illustrative of the principles ofthe invention rather than as limiting the same in any way since it iscontemplated that various changes may be made in the various elements toachieve like results without departing from the spirit of the inventionor the scope of the appended claims.

The terms upper and lower for instance are employed because the mast isshown in upright position, however, they are not to be construed aslimiting in any sense.

I claim:

1. In an easily disassembled flag assembly; a mast; a flag having a loopportion at its end adjacent said mast through which said mast extends; ahollow frame for said flag open at the side thereof adjacent said mast,having ring like portions at its vertically spaced ends which rotatablyreceive said mast adjacent the upper and lower edges of said flag; and aloop portion for the outer edge of said flag receiving the outer portionof said frame and having sufficient diameter to pass at least one ofsaid ring like portions; said upper and lower edges of said flag beingfree of the frame so that the flag can be easily slid off said frameonce the flag and frame are removed from the mast, with the outer loopon said flag slipping off the outer section of the frame and one of theupper and lower sections thereof; and removable stop means forreleasably holding said frame and flag in vertical position on saidmast.

2. In an easily disassembled flag assembly; a mast; a generally C shapedframe having free ends formed with vertically spaced ring like portionsrotatably received by said mast; a sleeve rotatably received on saidmast between said ring like portions and spacing said portions; and aflag having hemmed portions at its ends, one of which receives saidsleeve and the other of which receives the outer side of said frame; theflag being of less width than the distance between the upper and lowersections of said frame and free thereof; said hem at the outer end edgeof said flag being of suificient diameter to pass said ring likeportions so that the flag can be easily slid ofi said outer side of theframe and one of the upper and lower sections thereof.

3. The combination defined in claim 2 in which the spacing of saidspacer sleeve and said outer side of the frame is predetermined relativeto the length of said flag to maintain the flag stretched tautly in alengthwise direction.

4. In an easily disassembled flag assembly; a mast; a generally hollowframe having an opening in one section thereof breaking its continuity;a flag of less width than the frame having a hemmed portion at its outerend edge through which the outer end section of said frame extends, saidflag having a hem at its inner end receiving said mast; and meansreleasably securing the inner end of said frame to the mast; said upperand lower edges of the flag being free of the frame to permit the saidhemmed portion at the other end of the flag to be slid along said frameand removed at said opening when the inner end of said frame and saidflag are released from said mast.

5. In combination with a motor vehicle having a movable ventilationwindow; a mast having a lower end formed with a generally laterallyextending intermediate portion and a lower terminal portion parallel tobut inwardly ofiset with respect to the upper portion of the mast; arotatable fiag unit on the upper end of the mast; and a pair ofresilient plates on the terminal portion of the mast, extendingangularly to the plane of the laterally extending portion, and in normalunstressed condition spaced apart a distance less than the thickness ofthe side edge of said window, clamped over said edge of the window.

6. In an easily disassembled and demountable flag as sembly for mountingon the side edge of a pivotal ventilating window of a motor vehicle; amast; a generally shaped frame, open at the portion thereof adjacent themast, having vertically spaced free ends formed with ring like sectionssnugly but still rotatably received by said mast; a spacer sleeverotatable on said mast between said ring like sections; a flag havinghemmed portions at its ends, one of which receives said spacer sleeveand the other of which receives the outer side of said frame; releasablestop means above and below said ring like sections retaining said framein preselected position on the mast; the flag being of less width thanthe frame and free thereof at its upper and lower edges; said hem at theouter side edge of said flag being of sufficient width to pass said ringlike sections so that the flag can be easily slid off the outer side ofthe frame and one of the upper and lower portions thereof once the flagand frame are slid off the mast; a generally laterally extendingintermediate section on the lower end of the mast and a lower terminalportion thereon parallel to but inwardly ofiset with relation to theupper end of the mast; and a pair of connected parallel resilientplates, one of which has an outer edge clamped around said terminalportion of the mast; said plates being in normal unseparated conditionspaced apart a distance less than the said edge of the ventilatingwindow so as to clamp thereon.

7. The combination defined in claim 6 in which said outer plate is ofgreater length than the plate clamped to the mast.

8. The combination defined in claim 2 in which the side sections of saidC-shaped frame are normally spread outwardly and must be compressed whensecured on said frame.

9. The combination defined in claim 2 in which the ring-like portionsare angular with respect to the plane of the side sections of saidframe.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,744,196 Ames Jan. 21, 1930 2,072,573 Vigliotti Mar. 2, 1937 2,265,330Waddle et al Dec. 8, 1941 2,518,280 Bruckner Aug. 8, 1950 2,764,122Irvin Sept. 25, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 15,020 Great Britain July 4, 190327,656 Great Britain June 11, 1908

